Filene's Basement 20% Larger and Not Actually a Basement. Discuss

The Herald is reporting that after the original Filene's Basement location in Downtown Crossing is closed for two years that they will reopen and be better than ever. The store will add a third floor in a redesign to their current location. The additional floor space will include street level entrances to the store that won't require shoppers to head down to the MBTA station area first, or enter through the store that had been Filene's until the buyout earlier this year.

Mayor Menino is committed to preserving Filene's Basement as a shopping destination in Downtown Crossing, mostly because it's a draw and there isn't that much else going for Downtown Crossing these days. According to the Herald report there isn't much promise in the temporary relocation of the automatic markdown store in the area while the original location is closed. Talks with the property owners that hold the former Barnes and Noble location aren't keen on striking a deal with the discounter to provide them with temporary space while the building they're in now is renovated.

Despite Menino's efforts to keep the dream alive, the union representing the 170 workers of the Filene's Basement store are in talks to determine their fate and figure out what might come of them when the store closes this summer before the renovations begin.